"Truly, it is the indescribable sweetness of contemplation which you give to those who love you. In this you have shown the tenderness of your charity, that when I had no being you made me; and when I strayed away from you, you brought me back again to serve you and commanded me to love you." The Imitation of Christ

Monday, 26 May 2008

One Bishop Speaks Out...

Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, the Bishop of Lancaster, appears to have realised what it means to be a Catholic Bishop! Not only did he speak out on Catholic education with his excellent "Fit for Mission: Schools" document, (for which he was hauled up before a Parliamentary Select Committee) but he's also been weighing in on the side of the unborn...

In a statement made last night, Bishop O'Donoghue lamented the lack of ethical considerations (as opposed to the purely "scientific" arguments) in the parliamentary debate, and the rejection of religious arguments. He concluded:

"I would like to personally thank all those Members of Parliament who tabled amendments and voted in defence of unborn human life. I call on all people of faith – Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Christian – who believe in the sanctity of unborn human life to join with the Catholic Church in redoubling their efforts in the continuing campaign for a change in these laws.

"During the 19th century, slavers said black people weren’t human. They were wrong. During the 20th century, the Nazis said Jews weren’t human. They were wrong. Since 1967, the House of Commons has said the unborn are not human. They, too, are wrong."

On a related note, did anyone else pick up on the fact that, when the Dalai Lama appeared before MPs this week, he was addressed as "Your Holiness," while, when Bishop O'Donoghue attended the Select Committee, it was considered ok to use first names?

2 comments:

Perhaps we have the new Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster? After all, Cardinal Hinsley was called out of retirement and considered old and sick - and he was a great Cardinal! p.s. - Enjoy Lourdes - say a quick one for me!

Year For Priests

About Me

I was about to describe myself as a young Catholic woman, but alas, that is no longer strictly true (two out of three isn't bad)!
I came back to the Church 22 years ago after what I consider to be a Damascus Road conversion, and
I'm fairly traditional in my outlook.
I am a single woman living and working in the world (as a Science teacher), and I took private vows in December 2002.